This presentation takes a closer look at how and why people with a diagnosis of autism are more prone to experiencing anxiety. It also examines anxiety presentation using the flight, fight, freeze model.
Welcome to the second presentation on anxiety and autism. This presentation takes a closer look at how and why people with a diagnosis of autism are more prone to experiencing anxiety. It also examines anxiety presentation using the flight, fight, freeze model.
While anxiety is not necessarily a feature of everyone with ASD, children and adults with ASD can experience symptoms of anxiety
According to Dubin ͞For people with Asperger Syndrome, anxiety is often symptomatic of and aggravated by the neurological difference͟
Let͛s take a closer look at why people with Asperger Syndrome may be more prone to anxiety
Some of the key marker of Asper Syndrome and Anxiety are:
- Low frustration tolerance- hypersensitivities
- Perfectionism-narrow definition of success
- Transitioning
- Monotropism- focusing on small details, having difficulty seeing the bigger picture. Also known as poor central coherence.
- Problems reading non-verbal cues
- Auditory processing difficulties
- Co-existing conditions
Returning to autism, ͞Children and adults manifest their anger/anxiety/stress in two major ways: Active Outbursts or Passive Withdrawal
It͛s not just the explosive and emotionally demonstrative ASD person who needs our help. The silent, socially-avoidant, passive individual deserves it equally so, but is often overlooked.͟
So, let͛s take a look at what Anxiety looks like in A.S.D
Firstly, it is important to understand that there is no ͚one size fits all͛ explanation of anxiety and autism.
The best place to start when exploring autism and anxiety is the ͞Fight, Flight or Freeze model.
The Flight, Fight, Freeze model of stress is a helpful way of explaining some of the different ways people respond to stress and anxiety. This lesson called ͞What is Stress? from our Social Skills Apps series will explain a little more…
So let͛s take a closer look at each of the elements of the Fight, Flight or Freeze model in a little more detail. First the Fight Response: The ͚fight͛ response can occur when a child feels so anxious, they want to escape, or their anxiety might turn to anger/meltdowns. When an anxious child/teenager with ASD is in ͚fight͛ mode, they may not look ͚anxious͛but instead may look agitated or angry.
Next……. The Flight response.. The ͚fight͛ response can be when a child feels so anxious, they want to escape, or their anxiety might turn to anger/meltdowns. When an anxious child/teenager with ASD is in ͚fight͛ mode, they may not look ͚anxious͛but instead may look agitated or angry.
The flight response is a way of avoiding whatever it is that is making the child uncomfortable, scared or stressed. The flight response can see children trying to leave classrooms, shopping centres, social gatherings etc.
Lastly the Freeze response The freeze response is very straight forward as the person effectively shuts down and maylook like the person is frozen.
So on a general level…Anxiety in ASD has been associated with higher levels of ͚repetitive behaviours͛Individuals might use their repetitive behaviours to help themselves regulate their anxiety or to distract themselves from anxiety. For more information on repetitive behaviours see the About Autism section of this site.
Next we will take a look at the relationship between anxiety and sleep
Anxiety has been found to impact sleep in the general population, and people with ASD
The direction of this association is not clear yet, and could be a ͚vicious cycle͛. e.g. the child is more likely to feel stressed and anxious because they are tired, but then find it difficult to fall asleep because they are stressed or anxious.
Now we will look at anxiety and how it impacts the individual.
It is extremely important to remember, that just as each person with Autism is different, so is their experience of anxiety.
People can experience this emotion in completely different ways, and how it affects them will also completely differ. It is important to keep this in mind, and listen closely to the individuals experience without leading them.
Often individuals can be unaware of their presentation, and in this situation it is helpful to tell them what you notice about their demeaner when they appear anxious. Be mindful not to state this as fact, but offer possible symptoms and presentation. For more information on anxiety and autism please watch the other presentations in this series.
